Attorney General Bill Lockyer was elected statewide to serve as the chief
law officer of California. It is the duty of the Attorney General to see
that the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced (California
Constitution, Article V, Section 13.) The Attorney General carries out
responsibilities of the office through the California Department of Justice.

The Attorney General represents the people of California in civil and criminal
matters before trial, appellate and the supreme courts of California and
the United States. The Attorney General also serves as legal counsel to
state officers and, with few exceptions, to state agencies, boards and
commissions. Exceptions to the centralized legal work done on behalf of
the state are listed in Section 11041 of the Government Code.

The Attorney General also assists district attorneys, local law enforcement,
and federal and international criminal justice agencies in the administration
of justice. To support California's law enforcement community, the Attorney
General coordinates statewide narcotics enforcement efforts, participates
in criminal investigations and provides forensic science services, identification
and information services and telecommunication support.

In addition, the Attorney General establishes and operates projects and
programs to protect Californians from fraudulent, unfair, and illegal
activities that victimize consumers or threaten public safety, and enforces
laws that safeguard the environment and natural resources.

Under the state Constitution, the Attorney General is elected to a four-year
term in the same statewide election as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor,
Controller, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Superintendent of Public Instruction
and Insurance Commissioner. In 1990, voters imposed a two-term limit on
these statewide offices.